A strong earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture in southwestern Japan on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, causing 13 confirmed deaths and widespread damage, including collapsed buildings, fires, and damaged roads.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the earthquake occurred around 4:27 p.m. at a depth of about 16 kilometers. It registered the maximum seismic intensity of 7 in the city of Uki and the town of Hikawa, with upper-5 intensity recorded in Kikuyo, where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s (TSMC) chip factory, the JASM plant, is located.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the fatalities and described the extensive damage during a press briefing on Wednesday morning. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara added that seven people were seriously injured and 29 sustained minor injuries.

TSMC promptly evacuated personnel from the JASM site as a safety precaution. A spokesperson later confirmed that post-quake inspections found the structure safe, though some construction work was suspended to guard against aftershocks. The company noted that due to the earthquake's strength, inspections and calibrations would require additional time.

The earthquake also disrupted operations at Toyota Motor and other manufacturers in the industrial center of Kumamoto. As of early Wednesday, power outages affected approximately 36,900 households, water service was disrupted for about 84,000 households, and gas supplies were suspended to roughly 9,500 households.

A building collapse in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, was documented on the morning of July 29, with Self-Defense Force members assisting in the area.

An official from Aeon malls described an unprecedented gas explosion linked to supplied LP gas following the quake.

Prime Minister Takaichi expressed deep condolences to the victims and their families, emphasizing the gravity of the tragedy.

Sources